Page 40 of Vampires and Violas

But I’m not going to because I’m not interested in Sam. My heart, foolish thing that it is, is perfectly enamored with Noah.

Speaking of Noah.

Olivia sighs beside me as he and Cassian walk through the crowd toward the stand—two vampires looking wicked hot. And we’re not the only ones who notice. People watch the pair, giving in to the human urge to admire pretty things.

“Becoming a vampire isn’t looking too bad,” Olivia says with a quiet giggle.

Truth.

“I thought you were working late,” I say when they reach us.

“We finished up for the weekend,” Noah says.

“Perfect timing.” Olivia leaps off her stool. “I was just leaving to go watch Max’s band.”

“Traitor,” I murmur.

She grins and then turns her eyes on Cassian. “You wanna come with me? I’ll buy you a turkey leg.”

“You know the way to a man’s heart,” Cassian responds smoothly, offering her his arm.

Noah steps into the booth and claims Olivia’s stool. As soon as they’re gone, he turns to me, his eyes affectionate in the glow of the event’s twinkle lights and streetlamps. “Hey.”

My stomach flip-flops, my heart picking up its pace. “Hey.”

“I’ve missed coming to these things with you.”

I swallow, reminding myself we’re just friends. “How was work?”

“Reid covered his tracks better than I expected. I’ve hit a lot of dead ends.”

“Sounds frustrating.”

“I’ll worry about it on Monday.” He leans his elbow on the table and angles toward me. “You have me all weekend.”

I pull my eyes away from his dark hair and inviting eyes and straighten a mason jar. “Are you suggesting we plan another friend-date?”

“We’re past friend-dates, Piper.” Noah tilts his head to the side, his smile edging into a smirk. “How about a real date?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It’s my birthday tomorrow.”

“Um, okay. Happy birthday?”

“My parents insisted we do a thing at their place. Dinner, a cake I can’t eat—all that. Come with me? I’ve managed to make an excuse to get out of it every year since I hit final-stage, but I couldn’t this time. Not now that I’m back in town.”

“That’s right—your parents don’t know either.”

“They don’t.”

“Why haven’t you told them?”

He looks away, exhaling slowly. “It never seemed like the right time. And now Britta’s getting married…I don’t want to rain on her happy parade.”

“When’s the wedding?”

“The end of August in Estes Park. Why? Are you hoping to be my plus one?”

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